Nagpur’s public transport system is in crisis, with 17.37% of the city’s 662 buses out of service due to mechanical issues. According to the 2024-25 report from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) transport department, only 547 buses are currently operational, leaving 115 non-functioning. This represents a shocking 38-fold increase in non-working buses compared to last year.
Over the past six years, NMC’s bus fleet has steadily grown, reaching 662 buses in 2023-24. However, this year marks a turning point, as major mechanical failures have caused a significant number of buses to break down. Despite these issues, the NMC has failed to address the situation adequately, focusing more on purchasing new electric buses than maintaining the existing fleet. The current bus strength falls far short of the 1,200 buses needed to fully cover the city’s transport needs.
In response, NMC has issued a tender for the purchase of 250 new fully air-conditioned electric buses, worth Rs 1,300 crore. The contract has been awarded to Hansa City Bus Service, with production starting soon after a full-scale prototype is inspected and approved.
The situation highlights the importance of balancing fleet expansion with proper maintenance of existing infrastructure to meet the city’s growing transport demands and reduce reliance on private vehicles.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com